it is possibly the worst sounding instrument in the world when played badly (oboe is terrible too).
I used to play the cello very badly but that isn't so bad because it has lower pitched screeching.
Also don't waste your years of training on becoming the next Vanessa Mae.

to even get to the point where it is not painful even to yourself. If you've got good sense of pitch you'll soon overcome the lack of frets, but the desire to get it right then slows you down. So lots of practice is essential.